Chris Smalling has picked up a thigh injury in training…
A thigh injury could rule Chris Smalling out of Manchester United’s game with West Ham on Saturday. The news comes as a huge blow to United, who are already struggling to cope with a defensive availability crisis.
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Reports in the Daily Mail explain that Louis van Gaal is already without central defenders Phil Jones (hamstring), Jonny Evans (ankle) and Tyler Blackett (suspended), and was hoping to pair Smalling with Marcos Rojo.
United will assess his condition on Thursday with Van Gaal waiting anxiously to see if the England defender will be fit to play. If Smalling’s injury does prevent him from playing at the weekend, the Old Trafford club will likely turn to Michael Carrick – who has offered to play out of position.
The source adds that with Phil Jones sidelined due to a hamstring strain, Jonny Evans limped out of Sunday’s shocking 5-3 defeat at Leicester City after hurting his ankle before Tyler Blackett was sent off.
Smalling replaced Evans at the King Power Stadium, making his first appearance after a month out with a groin problem, but could not prevent United conceding four goals in 21 minutes in the second half.
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